8 rights as a patient that you need to know in Malaysia

Posted by ZAAHARA .COM
on August 17, 2017

Hospitals are a scary place, for anyone. And that’s understandable. Although hospitals are a place of healing, they can also be a place of loss. We have no control over the course of life and death. That all falls to the power of the Almighty Allah (s.w.t), the All-Knowing.

But what can make it a bit easier, is for you to know your rights as a patient. Regardless if you are the patient or your family member or friend, rights are so important. Your rights give you control of your situation and your rights give you the opportunity to choose what is best for you.

Not many people know their rights, and sometimes those rights are not stressed enough to the public. There is a lack of understanding or awareness of a patient’s right. But nevertheless, here are a guideline of patient’s right, based on the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

*The followings are direct quotations from MMA : Patient’s Rights, in order to not cause any confusion or extrapolate and misguide any information to the public.

Right to Health Care and Humane Treatment

Right to have access to competent health care and treatment (regardless of age, sex, ethnic origin, religion, political affiliation, economic status or social class)

Right for health services to be available on the basis of clinical need (regardless of the ability to pay); Shall be the responsibility of the Government to ensure that every person has access to essential health services

Right to be treated with care, consideration, respect, dignity (without discrimination)

All drugs shall be of acceptable standards

Right to prompt emergency first aid treatment from the nearest government or private medical and health faculty

Right to being interviewing and examined in surroundings designed to ensure reasonable privacy

Right to be chaperoned during any physical examination or treatment, except in cases of emergency

Right for a child to have the company of a parent or guardian

Right to Choice of Care

Right to have a second opinion at any time

Right to know the investigations conducted, the results and a copy of medical reports and have them explained

Right to authorise in writing, for another health professional to obtain a copy

Right to be treated at a hospital of choice and to be referred to a consultant of choice

Right to adequate information about his or her condition during consultation

Right to accept or refuse treatment

Right to discharge the health professional and seek services of another

Right to Acceptable Safety

Right to have a clear, concise explanation of the proposed procedure or of any alternative procedure

Right to information of significant risks, side-effects, or after-effects etc.

Right to information of the presence of a student

Right to refusing a treatment or investigation

Right to Adequate Information and Consent

*this is a highlighted and extremely important right for all patients, therefore I chose to not paraphrase/interpret this. Instead, please refer to the photo attached (which is of the direct wording of the MMA)

Right to Redress of Grievances

Right of access to appropriate grievance redressal mechanism

Right to seek legal advice (for alleged malpractice)

Right to recover damages for injury or illness (from failure of the health professional to exercise the duty and standard of care)

Right to Participation and Representation

Right to participate in decision-making (with the health professionals and personnel)

Right to Health Education

Right to seek and obtain advice with promotive, preventive, curative medicine and rehabilitation to maintain or regain good health and lifestyle

Right to Healthy Environment

Right to a safe and healthy work and home environment

Right to a safe and healthy environment to receive medical care and treatment